Pumpkin Harvest Time!

Depending on where you are in the world, you may be nearing the end of harvest. Celebrations on a fruitful season are popular around the world from Thanksgiving in The United States to Sukkot in Israel. Pumpkins and squash may be a big part of your holiday traditions. I grow pumpkins or winter squash at The Urban Permaculture Laboratory, the home office of The World Permaculture Association.

“Winter Squash” Pumpkins

Pumpkins have originated in North America. Pumpkin seeds go back, between 7000 and 5500 BC. In a 100 grams of raw pumpkin, packed with Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Beta Carotene. Pumpkin is 92% of water.

Sweet & Savory Pumpkin

You can utilize pumpkins in sweet or savory dishes. Prepared in many ways as candied, boiled, roasted, steamed, soups, purees, and as the same way, you would prepare zucchini or any other squash.

Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are pepitas, also edible and nutrient-rich. A great source of protein, magnesium, copper, and zinc. Many people roast pumpkin seeds as a snack as an alternative to Sun Flower Seeds.

Additionally, pumpkin seeds can be used for Pumpkin Seed Oil. Pumpkin Seed Oil contains fatty acids, such as oleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid (2). Pumpkin leaves and flowers are also edible and eaten culturally all over the world.

Squash Bugs

Beneficial Insects seek out and kill over 200 pest insects in the soil.

Additionally, they have no detrimental effect on non-target species such as earthworms, ladybugs, and other helpful garden insects. Having a resilient system does include a place for insects.

However, squash bugs do inject a toxin into the plant and suck the sap right out of it with their sharp, sucking mouthparts. This causes yellow spots that eventually turn brown. The leaves will wilt because the damage prevents the flow of nutrients to the leaves, and then they will dry up and turn black, crisp, and brittle. The leaves also sometimes have ragged holes. Smaller plants will die, and the squash bug feeding can decimate young fruit (1).

Pumpkins Within A Permaculture System

There are a few practices within permaculture that can naturally help with pests without using harsh chemicals that destroy the earth: